WATCH: 20 years ago today the ‘Banner Roar’ took over Croke Park

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By Robert McNamara

As we look forward to the All-Ireland final on Sunday, we reminisce about some great ones gone by. Here we take a look at how Clare found Liam McCarthy after 81 years.

It was what we describe in Ireland as a ‘massive’ summer.

The sun shone for more than two days consecutively, divorce was about to be made legal and Blur’s Country House had the nation bopping.

1995 was a year of change as the Irish Press shut down, Prince Charles came to Ireland on an official visit and Jack Charlton retired as manager of the Irish soccer team.

In GAA, the times were also changing as Ger Loughnane led Clare to their first All-Ireland in over 80 years and only their second ever with victory over Offaly in a classic final.

With Davy Fitzgerald minding the net for Clare, 1994’s champions Offaly were defeated by 1-13 to 2-8.

Who can forget captain Anthony Daly’s classic speech?

“There’s been a missing person in Clare for 81 long years. Well today that person has been found alive and that person’s name is Liam McCarthy.”

It was to be the first of two ‘90s All-Ireland triumphs for the Banner county as Loughnane, Daly and co returned to Croke Park in 1997 to beat Tipperary. They would not win another All-Ireland until 2013.

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